ED exposes NRI quota scam in West Bengal, Odisha medical colleges

According to the official, the agency had launched an investigation into allegations of rampant malpractices by private medical colleges and admission agents. Searches at multiple premises led to the recovery of incriminating evidence, including counterfeit US notary stamps, forged NRI certificates, and fabricated family trees showing unrelated foreigners as relatives of candidates.

“A large number of NRI certificates were later confirmed as fake by Indian embassies and missions abroad,” a senior ED official said.

The probe further revealed that medical colleges, in collusion with admission agents, paid intermediaries to prepare forged certificates and affidavits. In many cases, the same NRI’s credentials were used for multiple candidates. As family members of students, rather than NRI sponsors, paid the fees, it defeated the intended purpose of bringing foreign exchange into India.

ED officials also found affidavits purportedly signed by NRI sponsors who were not even in India at the time of notarisation, indicating widespread forgery.

Following the probe, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) have tightened norms for the 2025-26 academic session.

Embassy-issued NRI certificates will now undergo verification through MEA and Indian High Commissions, and any fake certificate will result in cancellation of admission and punitive action against both the candidate and the college.

With NRI quota seats accounting for nearly 15% of India’s 1.2 lakh MBBS seats, ED officials said the crackdown will bring greater transparency. Vacant NRI seats will be reverted to the management quota, giving higher-ranked students access to medical education.

The agency added that its findings would have implications beyond medical colleges, as NRI quotas also exist in other higher education institutions.